by Jody Richards

Each fall and spring, Pantone announces the new color palette for the season. This fall’s palette, dubbed A Season of Change, is highlighted by cool caribbean blues, greens and purples, mushroom and rose, and the more traditional reds, burnt oranges and golds we associate with autumn.

The clearer shades depicted in the blues and greens are a real departure for autumn, and you may find your fall wardrobe is a bit lacking in these hues.

Bringing trendy colors into your wardrobe is a great way to give yourself a more current look.  While we often talk about classic staples when we talk about our knitting, there’s nothing stopping us from letting our knitting pack a little color punch too.

If you’re lucky enough to have your signature color represeted this fall then go wild with it — use it in a pullover or cardi, or make yourself a new wear-it-all-winter scarf and mitten set to pull your outfits together. Be bold!  Since it’s a color you’ll wear season after season, it will be a classic for you.

If your color palette is different from this fall’s don’t despair – accessories are the answer. Just like a few new throw pillows and window toppers can brighten up a room’s decor, a scarf, hat, or just a dab of a trendier color will make your wardrobe look updated while still staying true to your own colors.

Plus, it’s a great excuse to buy just a couple balls of a yarn (or two!) that you’re been dying to try.

Here are some great yarns to consider this fall.

below, left – Let the subtle glazing of Madeline Tosh‘s new Tosh Worsted in Lichen and Olivia be the star in a simple sideways-striped garter scarf.

below, center – What better way to usher in fall than with a donegal tweed.  Elann’s Peruvian Highland Donegal in Colonial Blue would work up beautifully in Ann Thompson’s Theodore scarf.

below, right – The classic fall combo of Elann’s Peruvian Highland Wool in Maple Red, Harvest Heather and Nutmeg Heather was made for Autumn Leaves Cardi.  Pick your two favorite colors or use a sprinkling of both contrast colors in the yoke for a different look.

below, center – Here’s a fun way to bring some trendy color into your wardrobe without spending hours and hours knitting.  Three Irish Girls’ Wexford Merino Silk in the Rhiannon colorway pairs the clear greens and blues in a worsted weight sillk that will knit up quickly.  Use it in Cheryl Niamath’s False Modesty stole and select your favorite shade for the laceweight mohair contrast color.

below, right – A trendy color in a trendy fiber – Zen Yarn Garden’s Sea Sock in the Autumn Moon colorway will look great in Sabine Riefler’s Dribbling Drops socks.  The slipped stitches are a smart answer to the pooling that can sometimes happen in a hand dyed yarn.

Thanks to Elann, Madeline Tosh, Three Irish Girls and Zen Yarn Garden for for their generous support of this article.